About the Author
Cammy Marble grew up on a farm and in the woods listening to what God and Nature had to say. She currently lives on a two-acre property in Missouri with her husband, Ken, and their young granddaughter. A graduate of the University of Central Missouri, Cammy has been a homeschooler and tutor for twenty years. She enjoys teaching, gardening, drawing, and volunteering, and she plays several musical instruments.
The Holidays in Trees series came to Cammy in a vivid, nighttime dream. The creativity and humor in her artwork and writing are a reflection of her approach to life.
Notes on Holidays in Trees: Home Sweet Home
I dedicated Volume 1 to my husband, Ken Marble, who encouraged me to write the Holidays in Trees series. It came to me in a dream, and when I told him about it, he thought that I should write it down.
The dream was around 2000, and after I had it, I spent time on my daily walks formulating the story and illustrations in my mind. I indeed lived on Oak Street at the time, just like the Scamper family does.
I lead a busy life, so I worked on the material over the next two decades, revising it about six times. It was originally one story, but it became too long, so I divided it into seven volumes. But, then, I needed to add about fifty more illustrations! So, that took more years. I finally finished it around 2016 with my toddler granddaughter helping me choose the colors to use on the final illustrations.
It doesn’t fit the rules of writing a story. I understand that. I know the rules. Critics don’t care for it. But, I wrote it my way for many reasons. I had to choose publishers who would allow me to keep my vision intact!
I grew up on an organic farm and in the woods, so I had much inspiration to draw from. God is very evident in those surroundings; lots of big trees in the woods, ponds, and all manner of natural activity occurs. Both of my parents were artistic and accomplished, so I have received some of my talents from them.
On the old family farm is a large stand of black walnut trees. They are impressive, shady, magnificent; a wonderland in themselves. Fall walnut harvest using the tractor and trailer was a highlight for me as a child! That is how I named the town, Black Walnut Ridge Resort, in the story.
We had a simple, self-sustaining life. We were “green” before it became a thing. Now I am finally “in style!” But to us, it was a proper way of life, not a fad.
My favorite oak tree is the burr oak, so it is mentioned in the story.
I wanted to name my characters in such a way that kids could guess what animal they are! Many of them continue to show up throughout all seven volumes. Plus, I oriented my stories and illustrations in a way that aligns with the way children develop physically and psychologically. (There are a couple areas where I deviated, but on the whole those ideas hold true.)
The danger in Volume 1 is a dachshund/rat terrier mix that my daughter grew up with. I didn’t want to come out and say that; let readers figure out what he is. But, his name was Tomodachi and he participated in 4-H dog shows. (We named him Tomodachi, which means “friend” in Japanese. Man’s best friend, get it?! Anyway, Ken’s mother was Japanese, and we hosted a Japanese exchange student one summer.)
I dedicated Volume 1 to my husband, Ken Marble, who encouraged me to write the Holidays in Trees series. It came to me in a dream, and when I told him about it, he thought that I should write it down.
The dream was around 2000, and after I had it, I spent time on my daily walks formulating the story and illustrations in my mind. I indeed lived on Oak Street at the time, just like the Scamper family does.
I lead a busy life, so I worked on the material over the next two decades, revising it about six times. It was originally one story, but it became too long, so I divided it into seven volumes. But, then, I needed to add about fifty more illustrations! So, that took more years. I finally finished it around 2016 with my toddler granddaughter helping me choose the colors to use on the final illustrations.
It doesn’t fit the rules of writing a story. I understand that. I know the rules. Critics don’t care for it. But, I wrote it my way for many reasons. I had to choose publishers who would allow me to keep my vision intact!
I grew up on an organic farm and in the woods, so I had much inspiration to draw from. God is very evident in those surroundings; lots of big trees in the woods, ponds, and all manner of natural activity occurs. Both of my parents were artistic and accomplished, so I have received some of my talents from them.
On the old family farm is a large stand of black walnut trees. They are impressive, shady, magnificent; a wonderland in themselves. Fall walnut harvest using the tractor and trailer was a highlight for me as a child! That is how I named the town, Black Walnut Ridge Resort, in the story.
We had a simple, self-sustaining life. We were “green” before it became a thing. Now I am finally “in style!” But to us, it was a proper way of life, not a fad.
My favorite oak tree is the burr oak, so it is mentioned in the story.
I wanted to name my characters in such a way that kids could guess what animal they are! Many of them continue to show up throughout all seven volumes. Plus, I oriented my stories and illustrations in a way that aligns with the way children develop physically and psychologically. (There are a couple areas where I deviated, but on the whole those ideas hold true.)
The danger in Volume 1 is a dachshund/rat terrier mix that my daughter grew up with. I didn’t want to come out and say that; let readers figure out what he is. But, his name was Tomodachi and he participated in 4-H dog shows. (We named him Tomodachi, which means “friend” in Japanese. Man’s best friend, get it?! Anyway, Ken’s mother was Japanese, and we hosted a Japanese exchange student one summer.)
Notes on Holidays in Trees: Harvest Festival
I dedicated Volume 2 to my granddaughter, Sydney Smith and to her father, D. J., who passed away when Sydney was very young. She is almost 10 now. I home school her, as I did my own two children, and she also grew up outdoors. She always reminds me of a wispy fairy, whom she counts as her friends! She already writes and draws piles of stories, so maybe she will be an author!
Fall is such an exhilarating time! It seems to be the time of year when one’s creativity is at its height. I get a lot done in the fall. I love September thru December.
Michaelmas Daisies, which almost always bloom on Michaelmas, are one of my favorite flowers. They are more commonly called New England Asters. I have moved them from place to place since I grew up and moved away from the farm.
Where I grew up in the country, there was an old, retired one-room schoolhouse off one of the gravel roads. Each year before school started, the area residents that had land belonging to that old school district met at a local church and had a potluck and entertainment. It was like our last party before school began each year.
My mom, also a writer, kept our house full of music. We had some of our own church services, where her pump organ served for some mighty beautiful hymns!
I grew up on quality fairy tales.
My father, an organic farmer, was also a beekeeper.
Notes on Holidays in Trees: Harvest Festival
I dedicated Volume 2 to my granddaughter, Sydney Smith and to her father, D. J., who passed away when Sydney was very young. She is almost 10 now. I home school her, as I did my own two children, and she also grew up outdoors. She always reminds me of a wispy fairy, whom she counts as her friends! She already writes and draws piles of stories, so maybe she will be an author!
Fall is such an exhilarating time! It seems to be the time of year when one’s creativity is at its height. I get a lot done in the fall. I love September thru December.
Michaelmas Daisies, which almost always bloom on Michaelmas, are one of my favorite flowers. They are more commonly called New England Asters. I have moved them from place to place since I grew up and moved away from the farm.
Where I grew up in the country, there was an old, retired one-room schoolhouse off one of the gravel roads. Each year before school started, the area residents that had land belonging to that old school district met at a local church and had a potluck and entertainment. It was like our last party before school began each year.
My mom, also a writer, kept our house full of music. We had some of our own church services, where her pump organ served for some mighty beautiful hymns!
I grew up on quality fairy tales.
My father, an organic farmer, was also a beekeeper.
Notes on Holidays in Trees: School Days
Notes for Holidays in Trees: School Days (Volume 3)
As a teacher, homeschooler, and tutor, this volume of the Holidays in Trees series is close to my heart.
I have experienced and worked with different approaches to education over the past 25 years. This doesn’t include the experiences I had growing up as a child in public schools, private schools, and homeschooling. I had wanted to be a teacher since I was in the eighth grade.
As the years go by, there are more and more education options for parents and teachers, as people get more and more involved with their children’s educations. I am happy to see this trend as families can choose which type of education best fits their family.
School Days borrows from several approaches and from my personal experiences. Finding what works for your family is the key!
I love: science/nature experiments, art projects, plays and music programs, books and libraries, farms/gardens, talent displays, dance performances, animals, and hands-on learning. I have begun some form of learning or teaching every fall since 1974. When fall comes around, I just get that familiar itch to get back to the books!
Interestingly, I don’t care for games, but I have always played them with kids, because kids love them! And education is about kids. Dungeon Tag was a game I played in school as a fourth-grader. I did love that game! Helping the family make apple butter in a gigantic copper kettle over an outdoor fire was so fun! That is the way it tastes the best.
In homeschool, we do a monthly seasonal/holiday nature table and activities. For us, it is just a natural feeling to segment the school year in this way. We also do a yearly
Christmas program and a spring presentation of some sort.
Notes on Holidays in Trees: Christmastide
Author Notes for Volume 4 (Holidays in Trees: Christmastide)
Christmas!
It is my favorite holiday. It has always been my favorite holiday. It is my favorite story.
When I was young, we did not have much in the way of material possessions. But, growing up on a farm, we always had a fresh tree, plenty of good food, and wonderful homemade gifts. Mom always made sure of that. And, to this day, I prefer a homemade gift to anything from the store.
We usually opened our gifts on Christmas Eve when it was nice and dark so that our tree lights looked the prettiest. Occasionally we would decorate using the old-fashioned tree candles. We always made homemade ornaments like gingerbread cookies, colored paper chains, popcorn strings, nature items, a star at the top.
Under the tree with our presents was a cradle-type manger that Dad carved out of a tree stump. I always had a doll wrapped in it lying in the straw. I still use that manger. We had a simple Nativity Scene and I remember being in love with the Baby Jesus and just peering in at the Holy Family. As an adult, it reminds me how soft feelings of veneration help warm and shape the souls of the little ones; it lasts a lifetime.
Nothing has to be fancy. Mom would play Silent Night on the pump organ or piano, and Dad would read The Christmas Story. Once-in-a-while, there would be the first soft snow on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. You can’t really top that.
We usually went into the city to visit the grandparents on Christmas Day. Before a meal and gifts there, we would provide some sort of Christmas program. Or, sometimes, family would come to the farm for Christmas and we would celebrate there.
In my family, Christ is not just for Christians; He is for all people. Sometimes the simplest
celebration has the greatest impact, especially in our modern, materialistic world.